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Meeting Facilitator

Gale S. Wood, CAE, COMET Consulting & Coaching

Over the years, Gale Wood, of COMET Consulting & Coaching, has built a nationwide reputation for her facilitation and for her creativity in designing opportunities for people to engage deeply in conversations that are important to them, such as is the purpose of the Coffee Summit, which she also facilitated last year.

Now in its 15th year, COMET Consulting & Coaching focuses on strategic thinking, organizational and leadership development, and governance. Wood’s special expertise is in planning and facilitating large group meetings for a range of stakeholders to explore issues that are meaningful to them. Prior to establishing her consulting practice, Gale was the executive director of two national associations, a senior associate at an organizational development consulting firm, a director of employment services, and a teacher.

Ms. Wood earned her Master’s degree from Assumption College and her BA from Clark University, both in Worcester, MA. She holds designations as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and an MBTI Master Practitioner.

Featured Speakers

Ross Colbert, Global Strategist for Beverages, Rabobank Group

Ross Colbert is responsible for developing FAR’s research portfolio and Rabobank’s global view toward the beverage sector including coffee. His extensive career in the beverage industry has been focused on providing consulting, market intelligence and financial advice to firms serving the global beverage industry. Past positions include Managing Director of M&A Americas for Zenith International and Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for Beverage Marketing Corporation.

Colbert earned an MBA from the University of New Haven and completed an Executive Program in Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School.

Tracy Ging, Director of Sustainability, S&D Coffee & Tea
Tracy Ging is the Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for S&D Coffee and Tea, Inc. Her responsibilities span sustainable supply chain development, environmental efficiency in operations and distribution, workplace performance, and community affairs—weaving sustainability into core business strategies. With nearly twenty years of experience in the food & beverage industry, Tracy has spent the majority of her career in coffee in a variety of roles throughout its value chain. She is deeply and personally committed to making sure coffee drinkers enjoy their favorite beverages with the confidence of responsible sourcing practices.

Tracy holds a M.A. in Communication and Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a B.S. in Business from Indiana University. In addition, she has completed executive education at Stanford University in strategic marketing.

Mark Romano, Senior Director of Education, Quality & Sustainability, illy caffè North America
Mark Romano is Senior Director of Education, Quality & Sustainability for illy caffè North America. A 30-year-veteran of illy, Mark is a member of illy’s Global Sustainability Committee and the North American Executive Committee. As illy’s Chief Education Officer, Mark leads the development of illy’s Università Del Caffè and, with his team, ensures that every cup of illy is its finest. Over the last 10 years, as Director of Quality & Technical Service for illy, Mark led the strategic development of a national service and quality network and oversaw all of illy’s training initiatives; contributed to many global research and development projects some of which have resulted in international patents; and developed systems, machines and products designed to enhance quality in the cup.

Lynn S. Hambright, CFA, Consultant
Lynn is a coffee and tea loving financial industry professional with over 15 years of Wall Street experience. In her role as a senior investment research analyst, Ms. Hambright evaluated public companies for investment purposes -- their business models, financial positions and supply chains; industry trends and macroeconomic factors. Skilled at distilling complex topics, Ms. Hambright is pleased to introduce business risk management concepts at the National Coffee Association's Coffee Summit 2013.

Ms. Hambright received her master's degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management and a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University. Additionally, Ms. Hambright holds the Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation and is a candidate for The Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA) Professional Risk Manager (PRM) designation.